Lightning regular-season schedule released

The Tampa Bay Lightning open the 2017-18 regular season at home against the Florida Panthers, according to the team schedule released on Thursday.

The season opener is part of a home-and-home set with the Panthers on Oct. 6-7. Four of the Bolts' first five games will be at home, including a date with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 12.

The Lightning will travel to Las Vegas to face the expansion Golden Knights on Dec. 19, and host them on Jan. 18. They host a pair of Saturday matinees on the season, Mar. 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers and Mar. 10 against the Montreal Canadiens, part of 13 Saturday home dates.

Tampa Bay will also host the NHL All-Star Game during the weekend of Jan. 27-29.

Tampa Bay finished the 2016-17 at 42-30-10, narrowly missing a playoff spot. The Bolts were hampered by a number of injuries, including a season-ending knee injury to team captain Steven Stamkos in the 17th game of the season.